About Us
Discover how the small, supportive campus community at Lenoir-Rhyne University is an amazing place for living and learning on the way to obtaining your degree.
Our community passionately embraces the unknown. Our curiosity propels us to explore new ideas, to crave knowledge, and to engage the world in bold ways. United by our liberal arts mission, we make it a point to know who you are and where you want to go. Your professors will know you by name, and will challenge you in ways you never imagined.
At LR, you’ll be inspired and prepared to make your mark in the world.
Our Story
Founded in 1891, Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private liberal arts institution with 50+ undergraduate degree programs and 20+ graduate degree programs. LR enrolls nearly 2,300 undergraduate and graduate students.
At LR, we work to develop the whole person, to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build a sense of community and promote responsible leadership for service to the world.
Our main campus is in Hickory, North Carolina, where both undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered. The university also offers graduate degree programs on our campuses in Asheville, North Carolina, and Columbia, South Carolina. Our Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary is also in Columbia. LR is affiliated with the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and welcomes students from all religious backgrounds.
We encourage you to learn more about the exceptional academic and experiential learning opportunities at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
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Mission Statement
In pursuit of the development of the whole person, Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build a sense of community, and promote responsible leadership for service in the world.
As an institution of the North Carolina Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the university holds the conviction that wholeness of personality, true vocation and the most useful service to God and the world are best discerned from the perspective of Christian faith.
As a community of learning, the university provides programs of undergraduate, graduate, and continuing study committed to the liberal arts and sciences as a foundation for a wide variety of careers and as guidance for a meaningful life.
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Vision
Our goal is to be a nationally recognized liberal arts institution of choice — known for our excellence in building leaders for tomorrow, developing patterns of lifelong learning, positioning our graduates for success in their professional, personal and spiritual lives and providing an unparalleled quality of caring within our university community.
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Values
Lenoir-Rhyne University espouses a set of values designed to inform us, as members of this educational community, in our personal development and our interactions with others. These values establish our principles of operation as an organization. They furnish guidance and assurance to each member of our community, and they help us to see how everyone’s contributions improve the life of our university.
These principles are made manifest through our daily actions, and they are fully realized only when embraced by everyone in our community. Constant and consistent attention to these core values will cultivate the continuous improvement of our institution, will assist us in the achievement of our mission, and will direct us toward realizing our vision as a university.
- Excellence
We will strive for excellence in everything we do. We will continuously cultivate our intellectual, physical, and spiritual growth. We will develop our talents and abilities to their fullest extents. - Integrity
We will act with integrity at all times. We will respect and be honest with each other. We will take personal responsibility for our words and our actions. - Care
We will care about others in our learning and working relationships. We will be responsible stewards of our resources. We will support each other and work together toward the common good. - Curiosity
We will learn from our community, past and present. We will confront important issues with humility and open minds. We will embrace the gains attained from the diversity of people and perspectives.
- Excellence
I had the best and most challenging experience at LR in nursing school. It was simultaneously amazing and extremely difficult. I would not be the nurse I am without my experience from LR.
What Makes LR Home
Whether you are looking for a quiet place to study, opportunities to unwind and explore with lifelong friends, LR has you covered both on or off-campus.
Our campuses in Hickory, Asheville and Columbia are surrounded by thriving cities that offer great opportunities for internships, community service or recreational fun.
Campus Highlights
Each of our campuses has its own distinct character and history.
Non-Discrimination & Equal Opportunity
Lenoir-Rhyne University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship, religion, political affiliation, age, marital status, sex/gender including sexual orientation and gender identity, physical or mental disability, genetic information, pregnancy or veteran status in any educational programs and activities, including admissions.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity extends to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, reassignment, demotion, discipline, discharge, performance evaluation, compensation and benefits.
We are committed to providing an environment that promotes non-discrimination, equal opportunity and inclusion for faculty, staff, students, contractors, volunteers and visitors.
View Our Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
News & Events
On average, food insecurity affects around one-third of all college students nationwide. At Lenoir-Rhyne, the campus and community are uniting to ensure no Bear goes hungry.
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When she retired from the Army Nurse Corps, Rebecca Rabb, MTS '27, looked for a new way to care for others and found it as a faith community nurse.
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